Display device



July 28, 1942. l M. J. VIGLIETTA 2,291,265

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed April 19, 1939v 2 Sheets-Sheet l p EV l g 4/ H/ INVENTOR July Z8, 1942. M. .1; vlGLlETTA DISPLAY DEVICE Filed April 19, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented July 28, 1942 DISPLAY DEVICE Michael J. Viglietta, Elmhurst, Long Island, N. Y., assignor to Royal Mounters, Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 19, 1939, Serial No. 268,753

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to display devices and more particularly to display devices of the collapsible type.

Previous display devices have presented difliculties to setting up or collapsing due t-o the fact that a number of folding operations were generally necessary. The user had to be more or less familiar with the particular construction, and even in such cases the devices were usually complicated and required considerable time and care to erect or fold. Where it was desired to utilize the top of a previous device for displaying A different articles of merchandise, additional dividing members Were merely laid on top' of the device to form separate compartments or divisions. These latter members formed no actual cooperating part of the display device and further complicated settng up and folding operations.

The present invention aims to provide an inexpensive fcldable device for displaying articles in separated compartments therein and in separated compartments at the top thereof, which may be quickly assembled during manufacture, and the parts of which thereafter remain in assembled and operative relation at all times. A center panel or dividing member, Which forms the separated compartments within and at the top of the device, also controls the movement of all the parts during setting up or collapsing of the device; this panel member controls the operation during opening `and closing operations.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive and more practical display device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device which may be easily and quickly set up or folded together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device which may be set up or folded with a minimum amount of effort and skill on the part of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device Aadapted to support articles in position so that they may be more effectively displayed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a display device having a shelf portion which occupies substantially the entire area enclosed within the display device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a display device having means adapted to divide an article supporting shelf into a number of separate divisions.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various -advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in' the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View, partially broken away, of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken along the line 2.-2 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modined form of the display device; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectionalview illustrating another form of the display device.

Referring again to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. l and 2 thereof, there is shown an apertured foldable frame or column I adapted to cooperate with a center panel I3 to maintain in position upper and lower article supporting shelves 8 and l'll respectively. A retaining rim or ledge 23 attached to the upper shelves forms a basket-like display portion at the top of the device, which is divided into separate compartments by upright dividing members i3, 28 and 29. All of the parts arepreferably stamped and formed from cardboard but any other suitable material may be used.

The frame I may be constructed from separate pieces of cardboard and attached together to form the particular shape of frame desired, but it is preferably made from fa single sheet of material. Window apertures 2, recesses 4 fo-rming leg portions 5 for the display stand, and score lines 6, to facilitate bending and forming of the frame into the desired shape, arepreferably al1 formed in the sheet at the same time.

Overlapping portions 1 at the free ends' of the frame may be permanently glued, stapled, riveted or otherwise secured together to prevent separation of the ends of the frame. The score lines 5 of the frame permit collapsing or folding of the frame to substantially flat position to facilitate storing and shipping of the devices, as will be described hereinafter. A hexagonal shaped frame has been chosen to illustrate'the present invention but it is` to be understood that any other suitable shape may be used instead. A pair of shelf portions 8' are loc-ated Within the device adjacent the lower part thereof for sup` porting articles to be displayed. These shelves may be adhesively or otherwise secured at one side thereof to opposite sides 9 and I2 of the frame I by means of foldable tabs or strips I8, land at the opposite sides thereof by similar foldable tabs or strips II to a substantially upright center board or panel I3. Downwardly depending foldable strips I4 at the free cr unsecured sides of the shelves 8 are adapted to press loosely against the sides of the frame I to provide a guiding surface for the shelves during setting up or folding operations and also to prevent small objects from rolling off the shelves and down between the shelves and frame I to kthe oor. Also, the shelves are preferably arranged so that when the device is set up in display position, they will lie slightly below the lower edges I of the apertures 2 in the sides of the frame I. By this construction the portions of the sides of the frame I intermediate the lower edges I5 of the apertures 2 and the shelves 8 form retaining ledges at the sides of the shelves. It will be understood that the present construction is not limited to two shelves adjacent the lower part of the device nor to the large apertures 2 therein, but that other appropriate shelves and apertures may be provided at different heights.

The substantially upright center board or panel I3 which supports the inner sides of the shelves 8 and divides the display device into separate compartments is not directly connected with the frame I, but is free to move upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, its movement being limited and guided, however, by the shelf portions which are attached to it. The center panel I3 is so proportioned that when the frame I of the display device is in display position (Fig. l), the outer vertical edges or sides of the center panel lie in abutting relation with or closely adjacent to the sides of the frame I and the upper part of the center panel I3 projects above the top of the frame I. rI'he purposes of these features of the center panel will be described hereinafter.

The upper end of the frame I is closed by shelf portions II which are adhesively or otherwise secured to the center panel I3 at their'inner edges at downwardly depending foldable strips 29. The shelves are attached adjacent their outer edges to inturned foldable tabs or strips 22 at the upper end of the frame member I, which tabs or strips are adhesively secured to the bottoms of the shelves Il. The upper shelf retaining strips 22 of the frame I are located on the same opposite sides 9 and I2 of the frame to which the outer edges I Il of the lower shelves 8 are secured. Preferably, the upper shelves project outwardly beyond the frame I to provide a shelf portion with a greater display area and also a pleasing overhanging roof effect.

To assist in retaining articles on the top shelves I'I, they may be enclosed adjacent their outer edges by an upwardly extending flange or rim 23, preferably made from a single sheet of material, provided with suitable score lines 24 to facilitate folding, and adhesively secured together at overlapping portions 25 adjacent its ends. This retaining rim 23 is preferably adhesively secured to foldable strips 25 at the outer edges of the upper shelves I'I in a manner similar to that in which the frame I is secured to the lower shelves 8. In most cases it will be desired to have the rim 23 of the same ornamental shape as the frame I (Fig. 1) as this carries out the frame motif and gives a more finished effect to the display device.

CII

The ,upwardly extending part of the center panel I3 which projects above the upper shelves I'I divides the upper display portion into two separate compartments, but may be omitted if a single large compartment is desired. Also, in the event it is desired to divide the top portion into more than two compartments, illustrated in the drawings as six in number to correspond with the six sides of the frame I, there may be utilized additional foldable dividing members 28 and 29.

These additional dividing members may be formed from a single sheet of material and each comprises upwardly extending, substantially V- shaped, dividing walls 3I and 32, having cut-away portions 34 adjacent their lower outer corners and connected by connecting webs 3l' having score lines 38 and 49 adjacent their edges, to strips 35 adhesively secured to the top shelves Il. The score lines 38 and 40 facilitate folding of the dividing members to flat position against the center member I3 as the display device is collapsed, as will be described.

The display device may be collapsed from'the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by lifting upwardly on the upwardly extending portion of the center panel I3, which causes the center panel, together with the inner edges II of the lower shelves 8 and the inner edges 29 of the upper shelves I'I, to move upwardly and to tend to move away from the frame or column portion I. That is, the frame portion I, due to its weight, tends to remain in position on the table or other supporting surface and the center panel I3 with the inner shelf edges attached thereto tends to move away from it. As the center panel I3 together with the inner shelf edges moves upwardly, the outer edges of the lower and upper shelves tend to remain in position, 'since they are attached to opposite sides 9 and I2 of the frame I. The frame I, however, is free to collapse or fold by reason of the vertical score lines 8 therein, and as the center panel I3 moves upwardly, the inward pull exerted at the outer edges of the lower and upper shelves 8 and I'I causes the opposite sides 9 and I2 of the frame to which they are attached to move inwardly toward the center panel I3 (illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2). As these two opposite sides 9 and I2 of the frame I move inwardly toward the center panel, the other side portions of the frame I which are attached to them also fold or flatten inwardly toward the center panel I3 along the vertical score lines 6 of the frame. The upwardly projecting retaining rim 23 at the upper part ofthe display device folds inwardly toward the center panel similarly to the frame I.

As the upper shelves Il become downwardly inclined due to the upward movement of the center panel I3 with respect to the frame I, the strips 35 which secure the dividing members 28 and 29 to the upper shelves become inclined downwardly with the upper shelf portions and cause the connecting member 31 to fold inwardly about the score line 38 and the upwardly extending dividing portions 3I and 32 also to move inwardly toward the center panel I3. In completely collapsed or flattened position the display device occupies a minimum amount of space and may be easily stored or shipped.

To erect the display device, the reverse operation takes place. The frame portion I, upon coming into contact with a table or other support, ceases its downward movement andthe center panel I3, together with the shelf portions attached thereto, continues to move downwardly,

As the center panel and shelf portions continue to move downwardly, the shelf portions gradually assume a horizontal position and press outwardly the sides 9 and I2 of the frame I which are attached thereto. The width of the center panel I3 is preferably such that as the shelves assume a substantially horizontal position, the outer vertical edges of the center panel I3 are engaged by the adjacent sides of the frame portion I. Thus, the shelves limit outward movement of the opposite sides Q and I2 of the frame I to which they are secured, and the vertical edges of the center panel I3 limit further inward movement of adjacent sides of the frame I. In this manner the frame assumes and is held firmly in the desired shape, instead of being free to twist about or lean to one side.

In Fig. 3, there is shown a modified form of display device wherein the upper part of the device is formed without the use of outwardly projecting shelf portions and separate upwardly extending retaining rim portions, In this modification the frame portion la extends upwardly beyond the upper shelves lla, and forms an enclosing article retaining rim at the top of the l device similar to that described in connection with the preferred embodiment. The upper shelves lia are secured their inner edges to a center panel similar to the preferred embodiment and at their outer edges to the inner sides of the upwardly extended frame portion Ia. The device operates in a similar manner to that described in connected with Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 4 shows a further modincation in which the center panel leb terminates adjacent the hori- Zontal portions of the upper shelves ITU. Separate upwardly extending dividing members t2 divide the upper shelves into two separate compartments similarly to the upwardly extending portion of the center panel I3 described in connection with Figs, 1 and 2 and also provide an area for containing suitable advertising matter. The separate dividing members l2 may have integral therewith additional foldable dividing members 3, these latter dividing members being imilar to the dividing members 28 and 28 described in connection with the preferred embodiment and being utilized for further subdviding the tcp shelves into separate compartments. This device also may be set up and collapsed in a manner similar to that described in connection with the preferred embodiment.

It will be seen that the present invention provides an inexpensive, relatively simple display device which may be easily and quickly set up or collapsed without the necessity of any particular skill on the part of the user. The device functions as a whole during setting up or folding and requires no additional parts not contained within or carried by the device itself. No staples, pins or the like are required to clamp it together in display position. The front and both sides of an article displayed on a shelf within the device may be easily seen. The device has a shelf at the top thereof divided into a plurality of separate compartments adapted to contain different kinds of articles. In addition, the device is rugged in construction and well able to withstand any rough usage to which it may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its lill advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A display device of the class described comprising, in combination, a polygonal shaped foldable box-like structure for extending entirely around article supporting shelves located within the box-like structure, said structure provided with a plurality of spaced vertically extending parallel fold lines and having apertures therein to facilitate viewing articles displayed on said device, a substantially upright member located within said box-like structure vertically movable with respect thereto upon folding of said structure and dividing said structure into a plurality of separate compartments, and foldable article supporting shelves located at each side of said substantially upright member and positioned slightly below the apertures in said box-like structure to provide ledges for retaining articles on said shelves, each shelf having a fcld line at one side thereof and being secured at said side to said substantially upright member and having a fold line at the opposite side thereof parallel to said rst mentioned fold line and being secured at said side to said box-like structure and occupying substantially the entire area intermediate one side of the upright mem er and those portions of the boxlike structure located on the same side of the upright member as said shelf, and article supporting shelves located above the apertures in said box-like structure.

2. A display device comprising the combination of, a polygonal shaped foldable frame-like structure for extending entirely around an article supporting shelf located within the box-like structure, said structure being provided with a plurality of spaced parallel vertically extending fold lines and having a plurality of apertures therein to facilitate viewing articles displayed on a shelf within said device, a substantially upright member located within said frame-like structure vertically movable with respect thereto upon folding of said structure and dividing said structure into a plurality of separate compartments and with the side edges thereof in abutting relationship with said frame-like structure when the device is in display position, whereby the frictional engagement of said parts assists in maintaining said device in display position and a foldable article supporting shelf within said frame-like structure adjacent said apertures having a fold line at one side thereof and secured at said side to said substantially upright member and having a fold line at the opposite side thereof parallel to said rst mentioned fold line and being secured at said side to said frame-like structure and occupying substantially the entire area intermediate one side of the upright member and those portions of the frame-like structure located on the same side of the upright member as said shelf.

3. A display device comprising, in combination, a foldable polygonal shaped frame-like structure provided with a plurality of spaced parallel vertically extending fold lines having apertures therein to facilitate viewing of articles within the device, a substantially upright member within said frame-like structure dividing said structure into a plurality of separate compartments and movable longitudinally with respect to the frame-like structure upon folding or erection of the display device, foldable article supporting shelves at each side of said substantially upright member adjacent the upper portion thereof, each having a fold line adjacent the inner side thereof and secured at said side to said substantially upright member and each having a second fold line adjacent its opposite side parallel to said rst fold line and secured at the underside thereof to said side of said polygonal shaped frame-like structure which is substantially parallel to the fold lines on said shelves, and projecting outwardly beyond said frame-like structure to provide an enlarged shelf.

4. A display device comprising, in combination, a substantially polygonal shaped foldable framelike structure provided with spaced vertically extending fold lines to facilitate folding thereof to flat position and having apertures therein to facilitate viewing of articles within the device, a substantially upright member within said framelike structure for dividing said structure into a plurality of separate compartments, and movable longitudinally with respect to said frame-like structure to facilitate folding thereof, foldable article supporting shelves at each side of said substantially upright member adjacent the lower portion thereof each having a fold line at one side thereof secured at said side to said substantially upright member and having a second fold line adjacent the opposite side thereof substantially parallel to said rst fold line thereon and secured at said side to said frame-like structure, foldable article supporting shelves at each side of said substantially upright member adjacent the upper portion thereof each having a fold line at one side thereof and secured at said side to said upright member and having a second fold line adjacent its opposite side substantially parallel to said first fold line thereon and secured at said side to said frame-like structure a plurality of foldable dividing members each having a fold line adjacent one side thereof and a tab portion at said side secured to said upper shelves for forming a plurality of separate compartments when the device is in display position, and a ange portion extending upwardly above said upper shelves for forming an article retaining portion at the upper part of the display device said fiange portion being provided with spaced vertically extending fold lines to facilitate folding thereof with said frame-like structure.

5. A display device comprising, in combination, a substantially polygonal shaped foldable framelike structure provided with spaced longitudinally extending fold lines to facilitate folding thereof to flat position and having apertures therein to facilitate viewing of articles within the device, a substantially upright member within said framelike structure for dividing said structure into a plurality of separate compartments, and movable longitudinally with respect to the frame-like structure to facilitate folding thereof, foldable article supporting shelves at each side of said substantially upright member adjacent the lower portion thereof each having a fold line at one side thereof and secured at said side to said substantially upright member and having a second fold line adjacent the opposite side thereof substantially parallel to said rst fold line thereon and secured at said side to said frame-like structure, foldable article supporting shelves at each side of said substantially upright member adj acent the upper portion thereof each having a fold line at one side thereof and secured at said side to said upright member and having a second fold line adjacent its opposite side substantially parallel to said first fold line thereon and secured at the underside thereof to said frame-like structure and projecting outwardly beyond said frame-like structure to provide an enlarged shelf, and an upwardly extending fiange portion provided with spaced vertically extending fold lines to facilitate folding thereof to flat position secured to said outwardly projecting shelves adjacent the fold lines thereon for forming an article retaining portion at the upper part of the display device.

6. A display device comprising, in combinatio'n, a foldable polygonal shaped frame-like structure provided with spaced parallel vertically extending fold lines and having apertures therein to facilitate viewing of articles within the device, a substantially upright member within said display device substantially equal in height to said frame-like structure for dividing said display device into a plurality of separate compartments, and movable longitudinally with respect to said frame-like structure upon folding or erection thereof, foldable article supporting shelves at each side of said substantially upright member adjacent the lower portion thereof each having a fold line at one side thereof and secured at said side to said upright member and having a second fold line adjacent the opposite side thereof substantially parallel to said first fold line and secured at said side to said frame-like structure, article supporting shelves at each side of said upright member adjacent the upper portion thereof each having a fold line at one side thereof and secured at said side to said upright member and having a second fold line adjacent its opposite side substantially parallel to said first fold line thereon and secured 'at the underside thereof to said frame-like structure and projecting outwardly beyond said frame-like structure to provide an enlarged shelf, an extending foldable dividing member having a fold line adjacent one side thereof and a tab portion at said side secured to one of said upper shelves for dividing said shelf into a plurality of separate article displaying sections when the device is in display position.

7. A display device of the class described comprising, in combination, a polygonal shaped foldable frame-like structure provided with longitudinally extending fold lines to facilitate folding thereof and having apertures therethrough to facilitate viewing of articles within the device, a substantially upright member within the display device for dividing it into a plurality of separate compartments, and movable longitudinally with respect to said frame like structure to facilitate folding thereof, foldable article supporting shelves within said frame-like structure at each side of said upright member adjacent the lower part thereof each having a fold line at one side thereof and secured at said side to said upright member and having a second fold line at the opposite side thereof parallel to said rst fold line and secured at its opposite side to said frame-like structure, foldable article supporting shelves within said frame-like structure at each side of said upright member adjacent the upper part there each having a fold line at one side thereof and secured at said side to said upright member and having a second fold line at the opposite side thereof parallel to said first fold line and secured at its opposite side to said frame-like structure, a plurality of foldable dividing members each having a fold line adjacent one side thereof and a tab portion at said side secured to said upper shelves for forming a plurality of separate compartments when the device is in display position, and portions of the frame-like structure extending upwardly above said upper shelves to form an article retaining rim therearound.

8. A display device comprising the combination of an outer foldable polygonal shaped box-like structure having a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending fold lines adapted to facilitate collapsing thereof, a single substantially upright longitudinally movable dividing member located within said box-like structure with the opposite side edges thereof in substantially abutting relationship with the box-like structure adjacent oppositely disposed fold lines when the device is in display position and adapted to thereby strengthen said display device, a separate foldable shelf member located at each side of said upright member adjacent the lower` part thereof and a foldable shelf member located at each side of said upright member adjacent the upper part thereof, each of said lower shelf members having a fold ll i) line adjacent the outer side thereof and being secured by tab portions adjacent said outer side to the directly oppositely disposed panel of said polygonal shaped box-like structure and having a fold line adjacent the inner side thereof parallel to said rst fold line and secured by tab portions adjacent the inner side to said upright member, and each of said upper shelf members having a fold line adjacent the outer side thereof and being secured adjacent said side to the directly oppositely disposed panel of said polygonal shaped box-like structure by tab portions and also having a second fold line adjacent the inner side thereof and being secured adjacent their inner sides to said upright member.

MICHAEL J. VIGLIETTA. 

